Local Viewpoints

4:48 pm

Mon March 3, 2014

Think New Mexico Recognized Among Top Think Tanks

The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania’s International Relations Program recently recognized Think New Mexico as one of the top think tanks in the world in its seventh annual “Global Go To Think Tank Index Report.” According to TTCSP, “the index has become the gold standard for think tanks around the world and is widely cited by governments, donors, journals and policymakers.”

Think New Mexico is a nonpartisan, results-oriented think tank dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially those who lack a strong voice in the political process. It is best known for winning passage of landmark legislation making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico and repealing the state’s regressive food tax.

The Global Go To Think Tank Index Report provides a comprehensive ranking of the world’s top think tanks. The report was released in late January 2014 in an event hosted by the World Bank. (The full report can be accessed on TTCSP’s website at:

The index report ranks the world’s top think tanks in a number of categories, including Top Think Tanks by Region, Top Think Tanks by Area of Research, and Top Think Tanks by Special Achievement, among others.

The Global Go To Think Tank Index Report is based on an international survey of over 1,950 scholars, journalists, and policymakers. More than 6,500 think tanks in 152 countries were considered and ranked in a variety of categories based on criteria including the reputation of their staff among scholars, analysts, and media; the quality and quantity of their publications; their ability to bridge the gap between policymakers and the public; and their impact on society.

Think New Mexico was ranked 57th in the world in the Special Achievement category of “Best Advocacy Campaign.” It was the only state-level think tank to make the ranking, among a distinguished list of national and international organizations such as Amnesty International, the Pew Research Center, and the Brookings Institution (which was ranked as the top think tank in the world). Think New Mexico was ranked 70th in 2012 in the same category.

“New Mexico is so often overlooked that we are delighted (and a little surprised) to have made such a prestigious international list of think tanks,” said Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico.

“In the world filled with tweets and sound bites that are often superficial and politically charged, it is critical to know where to turn for sound policy proposals that address the complex policy issues that policymakers and the public face,” said TTCSP Director James McGann. “This Index is designed to help identify and recognize the leading centers of excellence in public policy research around the world.”

Over the past two years, Think New Mexico led a successful campaign to enact three constitutional amendments and four separate bills aimed at streamlining and professionalizing New Mexico’s troubled Public Regulation Commission (PRC). One of them, which enhanced the qualifications of PRC commissioners, received over 542,000 votes in favor—more votes than any constitutional amendment has ever received in the history of the state.

More information is available on the organization’s website at: www.thinknewmexico.org.